BEIJING: China’s latest high-speed bullet train, the CR450, has set a new world record by reaching 453 kilometres per hour during pre-service trials on the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu line, CGTN reported on Tuesday.
The CR450, the world’s fastest electric multiple unit (EMU), is currently undergoing operational evaluation on the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu high-speed rail line.
Having successfully met all performance benchmarks—including achieving a top speed of 450 kilometers per hour—the train must now complete 600,000 kilometers of trial runs before receiving approval for commercial passenger service.
The train can accelerate from zero to 350 km/h (nearly 217 mph) in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds. In an impressive feat, two CR450 trains recently set a record by passing each other at a combined speed of 896 km/h.
Compared to its predecessor, the CR400, the CR450 has a more streamlined design, featuring a longer nose, a 20-centimeter lower roofline, and a 50-ton weight reduction, which results in a 22% reduction in aerodynamic drag.
The CR450’s performance is rooted in aerodynamic and structural advancements. One of the most notable changes is its elongated nose cone, extended from 12.5 meters on current 350 km/h trains to a sleek 15 meters—significantly reducing aerodynamic drag.
Design innovations have lowered the train’s overall resistance by 22 percent. Key features include fully enclosed bogies and lowered skirt panels beneath the carriages, effectively shielding the wheels from airflow—an approach inspired by high-performance race car engineering.
Additionally, the train’s height has been reduced by 20 centimeters and its weight by 50 tonnes, further enhancing efficiency.
These enhancements are the result of five years of meticulous engineering, with drag reduction improvements measured in increments as small as 0.1 percent.
China’s transportation sector is rapidly advancing toward its goal of efficient passenger travel and seamless cargo flow.
The country has built the world’s largest high-speed rail and expressway networks, part of an integrated transport infrastructure that now totals over 6 million kilometers.
Launched as a key initiative in 2021, the CR450 project has already delivered groundbreaking results.
Its prototype, unveiled late last year, has since established new world records during trials, including a top speed of 453 km/h, securing China’s continued global leadership in high-speed rail technology.
